The new legislation by the Goa government reclassifying the coconut tree as ‘palm’ has come as a shocker for the coastal villages of Calangute. The locals see the coconut tree as the identity of the village, and the Calangute Beach.
The Calangute beach is synonymous with swaying coconut trees, which have been cut lately in the name of development. Several trees have been felled in Calangute constituency, while the local MLA Michael Lobo has been assuring to plant twice the number of felled trees.
Sadly for the locals, coconut trees are being wiped out with the blessing of the authorities, and no cut tree has been replaced with a sapling in the last two years, except for the distribution of coconut saplings during Vanamahotsava.
The reclassification of the coconut tree as ‘palm’ could see more and more coconut trees being cut under the garb of development.
“With the new legislation, it is easy for anyone to cut a coconut tree. The Calangute MLA has cut many coconut trees in the name of development, assuring to plant four times more saplings, but sadly nothing has been planted. Many villagers have been surviving on coconut trees and its produce, while Calangute is famous for coconut trees. The government is going for its destruction by forgetting that Goans are synonymous with coconut and trees,” said Joseph Sequeira, Deputy Sarpanch of Calangute.
“Calangute Beach has become world-famous with its swaying coconut trees. The new act of declaring the coconut as a palm will further destroy the beauty of the coastal villages of Calangute. Calangute MLA Michael Lobo has cut several coconut trees in the name of development in Calangute and Mapusa, and this act provides him an opportunity to destroy the beauty of the coastal villages to suit the interest of the builders lobby. The new act will only lead to the destruction of Calangute, which may change the topography of the villages,” said Agnelo Fernandes, former Calangute MLA.
“The Goa government is pro-builder and has come out with the new legislation due to mala fide and ulterior motives. The Regional Plan has shown 15-meter roads leading to the Parra Church, where coconut trees are lined up. This is the way to get rid of coconut trees in the name of development to help the builder lobby,” said Benedict D’Souza, ex-Parra sarpanch.
When asked about the assurance of planting saplings to replace the coconut trees cut for road widening, etc, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo said, “The assurance of planting coconut saplings for the trees felled will be fulfilled in due time. However, there won’t be cutting of more coconut trees in the coastal villages of Calangute.”
